Judgment and Heaven

In the famous scene below the fourteen deities, Ani’s heart is inside a small urn and is placed on a scale. On the other side of the scale is the feather of Maat, the goddess of truth. Ani’s heart must not be heavier than this feather. If it is, he will be eaten by Ammit, the crocodile-headed devourer who waits patiently at the base of the scale. The Ibis-headed god, Thoth, the god of wisdom records the results.

The hearts of those who failed the test were given to Ammit for her to devour, and their souls were not permitted to enter Aaru, having to be restless forever—dying a second time.

Her role is reflected in her name, which means Devourer or, more accurately, and less euphemistically, Bone Eater, and her titles such as Devourer of the dead, Devourer of millions (Am-heh in Egyptian), Eater of hearts, and Greatness of Death.